Headlining the festival on Feb. 15 is Van Django, a four-man acoustic string ensemble of some of Canada’s most talented and eclectic musicians. Ari Lahdekorpi – a ‘journeyman guitarist’ who has worked with numerous blues legends and pop crooners – and Kent Hillman, who plays jazz, classical and South American music, will also perform at the KPU Langley event.

“Most people are surprised that these internationally acclaimed artists would travel to the Fraser Valley to play a show, but these same artists love to introduce their music to new audiences. It is such a thrill for them and to those who attend. And it is all happening right in our backyard,” says Don Hlus, event organizer. Hlus has been an instructor at KPU since the university’s music department first opened in 1993. He founded the event to entertain and inspire the Fraser Valley music community, and to give high school and post-secondary music students the opportunity to work with, and learn from, internationally and locally distinguished artists.

“The idea behind the guitar festival came in conversations with several high school guitar instructors over seventeen years ago. Collectively, we wanted to create an opportunity for young musicians to see the artistic and creative potential within themselves. We also wanted the opportunity to support that creative development in others,” explains Hlus. “In the fifth year, my phone started ringing off the hook because people in the community were hearing about these world-class guitarists coming to the valley and wanted an opportunity to hear them in their own backyard. And that is how the evening concert came into being.”

Tickets to the event – themed ‘From The Gut’ – are now on sale online. For more information, visit: www.kpu.ca/guitar.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts, science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 19,000 students annually have a choice from over 145 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations. Learn more atwww.kpu.ca.